Ranking the Cinematic Experience
Throughout the new era of streaming, watching a movie has become easier than ever. However, movie theaters still remain king. Streaming does not truly impact movie theaters in the ways that everyone thought, and major blockbusters will not be stopped.
Truthfully, I was planning on waiting until I saw Dune: Part 2 three times before I wrote this but with the experience I had on opening night, I decided I only needed to see it twice. Today I am ranking the best ways to see a movie.
5. 4DX
According to Regal, 4DX equipped auditoriums employ motion enabled chairs, which create strong vibrations and sensations, as well as other environmental controls for simulated weather or conditions such as lightning, rain, flashing lights, strong scents, and fog.
Now at first glance, this seems like it would be a great, all immersive experience. Wrong. I saw Dune: Part 2 opening night in 4DX and I regret it so much. Regal’s definition of 4DX completely undersells everything. Most of it was not too bad, like the scents, and strong vibrations, but the motion enabled chairs take you completely out of the movie.
The chairs made me feel incredibly nauseous during just the trailers. That quickly gave me a headache which did not leave until I went to bed that night. There were constant unnecessary vibrations and movement in the chairs, and it had me holding on for dear life as I did not want to fall out of my chair.
This viewing experience was easily one of the worst of my entire life and I would not recommend it to anybody who asked me about it. Thankfully, I had seen Dune: Part 2 which is a phenomenal movie and everyone should see it, just not in 4DX.
4. At Home
It seems like streaming has had a chokehold on entertainment over the last few years. More and more movies are added to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu everyday. I don’t think this is an inherently bad thing at all; I just don’t think it even comes close to watching a movie in a theater.
The best thing about watching a movie at home is that you have nearly limitless options of what to watch, but that can also be the worst thing. However, being able to pick from limitless options severely outweighs not having anything to watch.
At home, you’re able to pause the movie when you need to go to the bathroom or get some food. Obviously, that’s unheard of at a movie theater. You also have the comfort of your own couch or chair that is ten times more comfortable than a seat in the theater. But even with all the perks of your own house, seeing a movie on the big screen is usually an unmatched experience.
3. Standard
I am honestly not too sure what to say about this one. I hope everyone has been to a theater before and had a good time. However, this is the absolute definition of average. Typically there is nothing special about these theaters other than there is sometimes a broken seat.
These theaters are usually about $15 for a ticket and another $15 for popcorn. Perfectly balanced as all things should be. A standard theater is for the everyday person, someone who wants to see the newest Top Gun or Avengers movie. It’s a place we all go and we know what we’re going to get.
2. 70mm IMAX
Truthfully, I have only ever seen Christopher Nolan’s Tenet in 70mm IMAX but it was an amazing time. It’s a movie I had seen plenty of times before, but seeing it in its original, and intended, format was really cool. The main difference between this and regular IMAX is this is a film reel instead of a digital copy.
The IMAX website claims it has the most immersive movie experience out there, and unlike with 4DX, I agree with IMAX. The only thing that took me out of the movie was seeing where the film was put together. However, it was very cool to see that happen as it gave the movie a very vintage feel.
1. IMAX
Truly an experience like no other. A fully immersive experience with state of the art speakers and the largest screen you have ever seen. I would highly recommend seeing a movie in IMAX, especially when the director and the movie’s cast pushes seeing the movie in IMAX. Movies like Oppenheimer and Dune: Part 2 were meant to be experienced on a screen that is three stories tall.
I don’t think there is a single downside to seeing a movie in this format. The only catch that people may complain about is that there are no reclining seats. However, you will quickly get over that as the speakers are blasting, your chair is vibrating, and you’re having the time of your life. So when a movie is advertised to be shot on an IMAX camera, go see it in IMAX.
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